Sterols are beneficial plant metabolites with proven human health effects. In rapeseed (Brassica napus), enhancing sterol content could add significant nutritional value to edible oils.

Researchers have developed an improved vacuum-infiltration system that overcomes long-standing barriers in tomato genetic engineering. 

A groundbreaking study introduces a silane coupling agent strategy to enhance the performance of wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells (WBG-PSCs). By anchoring trimethoxysilane (TMOS) molecules at the perovskite/hole transport layer interface, researchers achieved a record-high open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 1.345 V and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.69% in single-junction devices. Extending this approach to all-perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs), the team reached an impressive 28.45% PCE with exceptional stability, retaining 90% efficiency after 500 hours of operation. The work, published in a leading journal, highlights the transformative potential of interfacial engineering for next-generation photovoltaics.

Safflower is widely valued for its flavonoid glycosides, particularly for cardiovascular therapeutics and natural dyes. 

In a paper published in Science Bulletin, the research team led by Professor Wen Zhang from the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) has made significant progress in understanding the pathogenesis of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). The study, for the first time, demonstrates that the overexpression of early growth response factor-1 (EGR1) in epithelial cells is a core driver promoting the characteristic tissue fibrosis of the disease, laying a scientific foundation for developing potential targeted therapies.

Garlic, a globally significant food and medicinal crop, suffers major quality loss during storage due to sprouting and decay.

A team of researchers has developed the first high-resolution genetic map and a versatile SNP chip for Panax ginseng, a tetraploid medicinal plant with complex genomic architecture. 

Grafting between different plant species can offer advantages like disease resistance and structural resilience. However, graft incompatibility remains a biological mystery.